San Antonio adopts the 2021 International Fire Code under Chapter 11 of the City Code, which prohibits open-flame cooking devices (including charcoal and propane grills) on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction at multi-family buildings. Single-family homes face no city restriction on backyard grilling. Drought-period burn bans do not apply to commercially built grills.
San Antonio enforces IFC § 308 (Open Flames) through the San Antonio Fire Department Fire Prevention Division. For multi-family residential buildings (apartments, condos), charcoal and other open-flame cooking devices may not be operated on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction unless the building is fully sprinklered. Propane grills with LP-gas containers larger than 1 pound are similarly restricted on balconies; electric grills and one-pound disposable canister grills are generally allowed. For single-family detached homes, there are no city restrictions on backyard charcoal, propane, or natural-gas grilling, but the property owner remains liable under nuisance and fire-prevention provisions of Chapter 11 if the grill creates smoke nuisance or fire hazard. During Bexar County burn bans (declared by Commissioners Court during drought), commercially manufactured gas/charcoal grills used for food preparation remain permitted; open burning of yard waste is prohibited. HOAs may impose stricter rules.
Violations of IFC § 308 on multi-family balconies are Class C misdemeanors with fines up to $2,000 per day under Texas Local Government Code § 54.001. SAFD may order immediate removal of the device. Burning that causes fire damage can result in additional charges including reckless endangerment.
San Antonio, TX
San Antonio noise ordinance quiet hours are 10 PM–6 AM Sun–Thu and 11 PM–6 AM Fri–Sat (City Code Ch. 21, Art. III). Residential cap 63 dB(A) day / 56 dB(A) n...
San Antonio, TX
All possession, sale, use, transport, and manufacture of fireworks is prohibited within San Antonio city limits and within 5,000 feet of those limits, per th...
San Antonio, TX
San Antonio has no city ordinance regulating residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays. Property owners may install yard decorations year-r...
San Antonio, TX
San Antonio has no city ordinance specifically regulating inflatable holiday displays (giant Santas, snowmen, pumpkins). Inflatables are permitted on residen...
San Antonio, TX
San Antonio has no city ordinance specifying installation or removal dates, brightness limits, or amplified audio rules for residential holiday light display...
San Antonio, TX
ADUs in San Antonio may be rented long-term but short-term rental use (under 30 days) requires a separate STR permit under UDC § 35-374.01. The owner must oc...
See how San Antonio's bbq & propane rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.